Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day – Should Teens Work?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
• Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
• Platform: SiriusXM Triumph 111
• Release Date: March 22, 2025
• Episode Title: Should Teens Work?

Introduction

In this episode of Dr. Laura Call of the Day, Dr. Laura Schlessinger addresses a common dilemma faced by many parents: whether or not teenagers should take on part-time jobs. With her signature no-nonsense approach, Dr. Laura delves into the nuances of fostering responsibility and personal growth in teens through employment.

Listener Call: Navigating Teen Participation in Sports and Employment

Callers: Kim (48) and Brad (45)
Context: Parents of a high school sophomore facing challenges in his extracurricular activities and contemplating employment.

Summary of the Call: Kim and Brad reach out to Dr. Laura concerned about their son's recent experiences with his high school volleyball team. Last year, he was demoted from a competitive freshman-sophomore team to the freshman team, which has left him disheartened and reluctant to join again. While he has turned to wrestling—a sport he enjoys—they are considering encouraging him to take up a part-time job to keep him engaged throughout the year.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller Kim [02:11]:

  "Our son is a sophomore and last year as a freshman he was very passionate about volleyball... he felt really bad that he was put down a level. But he made it through. He did a great job. And then this year I think it left a bad taste in his mouth and he doesn't want to join again."

• Caller Brad [05:36]:

  "What about the job, Dr. Laura? Is it okay if he says, well, I don't want to do the volleyball, I'd prefer to go and get a job. At 16, in his mind, he feels like he's learning skills."

Dr. Laura’s Guidance: Balancing Sports and Employment for Teen Development

Dr. Laura responds thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of supporting the teen's interests while also recognizing the value of work experience in fostering independence and responsibility.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Supporting Interests:

   • Dr. Laura [02:29]:

     "When I hear volleyball, that's a team and you have to be tall and healthy and do that... wrestling is not a team sport. It's a one on one. So there are, it's not just through the school. There are going to be teenage wrestling things going on in other places... support what he likes."

2. Encouraging Employment:

   • Dr. Laura [05:51]:

     "He's learning skills to be an adult. That would be great. So find a club. Tell him we'll find club wrestling for you and we'll see how we can fit in some part time work. We support you in that."

3. Valuing Independence:

   • Dr. Laura [06:10]:

     "He wants to earn it, damn it. There are so few kids his age who have that concept and you have a kid who has that concept and you want to undermine it. Tisk, Tisk, Tisk."

Advice to Parents:

• Support Dual Pursuits: Encourage your teen to balance extracurricular activities with part-time work to develop a well-rounded skill set.
• Respect Their Interests: Validate their passions, whether in sports or other areas, to maintain their motivation and self-esteem.
• Foster Responsibility: Allowing teens to earn money teaches them valuable lessons in accountability and financial management.

Conclusion

Dr. Laura wraps up the discussion by reiterating the importance of fostering both personal interests and responsibility through employment in teenagers. She underscores that supporting a teen's desire to earn can significantly contribute to their growth into accountable adults.

Final Thoughts from Dr. Laura [06:39]:

"You're very welcome... If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast."

Takeaway:
Allowing teenagers to engage in part-time work while supporting their extracurricular interests can cultivate essential life skills such as responsibility, time management, and financial literacy. Parents are encouraged to find a balanced approach that honors their teen's passions while promoting their growth into independent adults.